LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 30 October 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Dunedin market is glutted with cauliflowers, which are being sold at from 4s to 5s per sack.

Th<? latest addition to tho Telephone Exchange is No. 892, Show Grounds (office), Wanganui .Racecourse, j

The double express service between Auckland and Wellington is announced as commencing next Friday, November 1.

The building erected by the Mormons near Hastings, at a cost of £12,000, for a Maori Agricultural College, has been completed. The college is situated about "six miles from Hastings and stands on an area of 130 acres.

The member for Grey Lynn, Mr Payne, was speaking. " This is Payneful*" interjected the member for Patea, Mr. Pearce. "Yes, it is quite Pearcing, isn't it?" retorted Grey Lynn's member, and the House appeared to think he had given a Roland for the Oliver.

A Gore wire says that Messrs Muirell 8r05.., after many attempts, have made possible a motor launch trip oetween Lakes Mananouri and Te An.au by the Otaiau River. In place of an uninteresting motor ride tourists will now be able to journey between the lakes through some fine river scenery.

Wanganui\s seaside resort was the scene of great .animation on Monday (Labour Day), the beautiful weather that prevailed inducing large numbers of townsfolk and others to visit Castlecliff. In order to convey the many passengers who patronised the trains, the Caroled iff Railway Company had to put on several extra trains to cope with the traffic.

At the request of numerous singers who took part in the last performance of tho "Messiah." it has been decided to reproduce the work at the earliest opportunity. Singers willing to assist in the performance are requested to send in their names and class of voice either to Mr T. C. Webb, Colliers' Music Warehouse, or Mr. L< Follett, "Chronicle" Office.

The Presbyterian Maori Mission Farm at Matapuna, near Taumarunui, under the Rev. J. I. Monfries, is doing good work in giving a practical farm training to native lads, of whom half a dozen are in residence at the present time. Tho farm is one of 200 acres of excellent land with 40 acres under cultivation and 1000 fruit trees planted. Accommodation has been provided for 20 boys.

At a special meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery at Marton, permission was asked by St. Paul's, Wanganui, to borrow up to £13,000 from the A.M.P. Society. The Rev. McKenzie explained to the meeting that tho interest on the sum would be assured each year by the rental accruing on the present church property 3 which was let on a 42 3 rears' lease at a rental of £630 per annum for the past 14 years, and increasing by 25 per cent, at each of the other 14 year periods.

At a meeting of the Napier branch of the -Railway Officers' Institute <a resolution was passed expressing disappointment that the unanimous findings of the 1911 Parliamentary Commission •with regard to concessions were not carried out in their entirety, and deprecating the principle of curtailing concessions to the lower-paid oflicers on the score of expense, while at the same time granting sub ..■ tial mctoaibps t" the heads of departm^r-t.^.

The Dunedin Presbytery yesterday administered a sharp xebuka to the Otago Yacht and Motor Association, for entertaining the Canadian Cadets on Sunday by a trip down the harbour. It was urged that when the association had done one-thousandth >ari.for vhi; Dominion what the Presbyterian Church had done perhaps it would show more reverence for the Church of Christ. It was resolved to send a letter to the Canadian Presbytery, wno wore i>jost concerned, congratulating then: on tb>> conduct of their boys, and regretting that a private body should Lave placed before them a temptation to break a Divine institution; also, an overture t«' the General Assembly inviting the tsstablishment of Imperial action in such matters.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, two men were convicted and discharged for drunkenness. A prohibition order was issued against one of the offenders. Lars Hansen appeared on a charge of having no visible means of support. Sergt. Burke said the man, whose ago was given as 65, had just been discharged from the Hospital. Ho had no friends and no money, and was a cripple, so the police took charge of him. Not being a resident of the district, his application to the Jubileo Homo had been refused, and the police bad brought him up on this charge to find out what was to be done with him. The Magistrate said that it was a scandalous thing that there was no one to receive him, and adjourned the case for a week, the police in the meantime to try ami arrange a temporary home for him.

There was a lengthy list of civil cases set clown for hearing at tho S.M. Court yesterday, there being 102 altogether. Judgment by default was given in the following cases :—John Calver v A. Wisnew.ski £1 Os 9d; Collier and Co v. Thos. Adamson £5 11s 3d; E. E. Porritt v. Percy Russ £11 (Js 6d; Watson and Cox v. Thos. Simpson £6 14s 3d; Jas. Ponton v. Samuel J. Boattie £4 14s; F. D. Gaffancy and Co. v. John A. O'Brien £11; D. McFarlane and Co. v. Kumeroa Jr £3 13s Id; S. J. McKeo and Co. v. Mary Smith £4 16s (id; McGruer and Co v. A. Guthri© 12s; A. C. Lennard v. iE. Wheeler los 3d; J. P. Gore-Martin v. S. J. Barry £3 3s Gd; C. Rugo v. Robt. Stowers £7 3s 2d; Ludlam and Sons v. Herb. Gunner £ 1 15s 2d; Ludlam and Sons v. W. J. Barker £3 6s Id; J. W. Anderson v. Wm. 'J'rott £2 3s Gd; J. W. Anderson v. J. Thornton £2 3s 6d; Missen Estate v. Hugh Scally £3 ]{) s Od; Herald Co. v. Percy Coylo £2 18s 4d; W. Forayth v. C. S. Gaswigno £4 14s; 8011, Bruce' and Co. v. Sum Wai tore £3 2s Gd • J P. Cowio v. It. G. Caddy £2 S.s 2d • G W. Gray v. Harry Bland £3 3s 9d.

A correspondent states that he met at Marton on Monday night some people who took advantage of the holiday to visit Wanganui, but were apparently disgusted upon walking along to tho library to find it closed. They considered it was time that tins practice of ■q'-asinr: ftli-o institution <n holid.ijis, when so many visitors =uv ~u tho p.'.ue', should be reviewed. Wanganui, ,t w-s said, had grown beyond the country town stage, and its public institutions particularly the library, shou'.l rot ho closed wJi.cn the doors should be osen widest. A "Chronicle" reporter discussed the matter wjth Mr C. E. Hylton, librarian, yesterday. Mr Helton said th-e experiment had W^n tr:cd yea re ayo and had not pr m?J a suc--00?.'. Tho^e who eriod out most for the privilege were tho last to avail themselves of it. With the present staff, it was impossible to keen the library open always. On tho afternoons when the librnrv ;« el^nd. the builduio; is thoroughly washed ont with disinfectants. Mr Hyltoji saws that in a great many of the liirrre^t nuMi" libraries in England the r^mf* nror.t:«-. i^ followed. Un-cl-or present "o:vl;t;- ns the Wanganui library e^.nnot V '-opt open on every day of tho week. "WVii'Ti vi< -••"■• :! r '" T> 'vindotv. thinb of 'Vino-pv 'T>hnn,. ns

Messrs Anthony Hordern and Sons, of Sydney, write to the editor of the " New Zealand Times" stating that they have no present intention of opening a branch *of their business in Wellington.

Mr C. W. Poynter, chairman of the Orphanage Committee, wishes us to acknowledge the offer of a donation of £100 from Messrs Jas. Thain and Co. towards the furnishing expenses of the Orphanage.

A small outbreak of fire occurred at the residence, of Mr Coe, Taylorville, yesterday afternoon. The Fire Brigade was summoned but their services were not required as the fire had been extinguished before they arrived. Very little damage was done.

According to the "Pahiatua Herald," shopkeepers do not intend to close their premises on Friday for People's Day at the Manawatu Show. The business people point out that the gathering lasts for three days, <and there is ample opportunity for local residents to visit the Show if they &o desire. Further, they declare that the residents should isuppont their own Show. "Enough money goes to Palmerston North as it is," remarked one shopkeener.

A few members of the Garden Fete committee journeyed to Castlecliff last night to attend a meeting of residents of that suburb interested in beautifying work. A great deal of assistance towards the Fete on New Year's Day has been offered and a canvass of the district will be made towards helping the kioski^ by cooking. The Girl Scouts will give an exhibition of their work at the- Fete in drill exercises. It is the ambition of several Castlecliff enthusiasts to make one or two beauty spots by the seaside resort next winter. The intention ds to do one small portion each winter and do it thoroughly.

At the Labour Day Sports on Monday, 11. Bone, of the D.H.S., won the gold medal points prize presented by Mr Percival, by securing 2 firsts out of 3 races —100, 400 and 880 yards. The D.H.S. was very successful, bjaviim; scored 3 firsts, 2 seconds, and one third out of the 3 events. Mr A. Bruen won the Cup presented by Mr Ray Saunders for a points prize in the Union races. The chain stepping resulted: — W. Donald (65ft lliin) 1, W. Robb (66ft Sims) 2, J. Forbett (66ft Bins) 3. In judging tho weight of the sheep, four tied for nearest to the correct weight. They are to be asked to make another guess to decide Ist, 2nd iand 3rd positions.

Several people have remarked upon the brilliant display of flowers on the Durie Hill steps which have been planted by the Beautifying Society. The wonderful change in the appearance of the steps during the last few years is a pleasant surprise and shows what can be done by such a society in beautifying barren places. We were recently shown the rhododendron bed in Queen's Park and were astonished to see a display of over 150 rhododendrons planted in a plot which will be one of the most magnificent sights of the Dominion in a few years. Many of the plants are now in flower. This work has been faithfully carried out by Mr Thos. Allison.

A very enthusiastic meeting was held in St. Paul's Hall last evening to consider arrangements for the laying of the foundation stone of the new St. Paul's* Church on Tuesday 3 November 26th. Miss Alexander kindly offered tho use of her grounds for a garden party, and her generous offer was accepted with great satisfaction. It was resolved that the celebrations begin at 12.30 p.m. The proceedings will probably occupy about an hour, after which an adjournment will be made for the garden party. Tho good old Presbyterian traditions will be followed, as it was unanimously agreed that as opportunity should be given to members and friends of the congregation to make substantial contributions to tho Manse building fund.

As a indication of tho number of people who visited CastleclifC on Monday, it is interesting to noto that the three tram-cars carried About 1200 passengers. On the tramwayis" the total takings for the day were £104. The sum of £57 was taken between tho Post Office and Gastleclilf, in addition to the Aramoho tickets. There were five other cars available in the ear shed, but they could not be used owing to tho fact that the old engines, which are running the service pending the new engine again being brought into requisition, could not develop sufficient nower for more than three cars to Oastlecliff and four on the Aramoho circuit. ' When the new engine is again in working order it should bo possible to run a ten-minutes' service to Castlecliff on holidays, and thus better cope with increased traffic. The service to the beach on Monday was, in the circumstances, the best that could be devised and the engines did their work well.

Tho excellent work being done in the course of agriculture by the Education Board and ts instructors (Messrs J. Grant, Brown iand Banner) is attracting considerable attention outsido tho educational district, and press representatives from other paiibs occasionally get off the train at Marton Junction to see the boys at work on the first working day of the week. The land operated on comprises five acres, and has been kindly lent by Mr J. G. Wail son, president of the farmers' Union, free of cost. Nor does Mr Wilson's generosity stop with what is practically the gift of five acres, but <as Mr Grant remarked on Monday, he lends the horses, implements and tools necessary for carrying on the work. There is a small building on the section, erected by the Board of Education, and this is utilised as a lecture room, and also a. mixing room for manures. The work being done just now is splendid training, but Mr Grant is hopeful that tho day is not far distant when the area of land for instructional purposes will bo increased, stocked with animals, and also carrying a comfortable batch for boys. These boys he would like to bring for a week at a time, which ivould probably mean about three camps in tho year, and their duties would involve the running of tho whole show for the period they were batching, under, of course, the supervision and instruction of the Board's staff.